2027 Best Value Computer Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[Computer Science](/majors/computer-information-sciences/computer-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 159 schools to find the best return on investment for computer science students.
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2027 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Science Schools
For return on investment in computer science, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $17,075. Computer Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the computer science program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in computer science will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Skyline College one of the best values for computer science. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College placed #7 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #8 spot for computer science value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #9 spot for computer science value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College came in at #10 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
College Of Southern Nevada came in at #11 for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #12 among the best values for computer science. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #13 spot for computer science value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #14 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $24,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #15 among the best values for computer science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College came in at #16 for value in computer science this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $11,262. Computer Science graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #18 position for value in computer science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value computer science schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
Canada College came in at #20 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the computer science program here. Early-career computer science graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College earned the #21 position for value in computer science this year. Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Renton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Early-career computer science graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #22 for value in computer science this year. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #23 spot for computer science value this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Computer Science graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #24 position for value in computer science this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Computer Science graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer science degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #25 for value in computer science this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for computer science graduates is $9,776. Computer Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Computer Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in computer science:
Other Computer Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Computer Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Computer Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 159 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
